1-11000232 Why do I return to certain iconic locations when I've already photographed them previously?

How many times can I photograph Switzerland's Jungfrau region or Vermilion Lakes in Banff National Park or Venice's Piazza San Marco and come up with something different?

2-C_16_0536 This photo shows my response to this question: not often enough. Why is that?

No setting will ever be the same. Each photograph is a split second in time. Factors such as time of day, the weather conditions, the season of the year, or my own reaction to the subject will be unique to that moment.

3-15000895 This wetland (a.k.a. a swamp) is just down the road from my house. When I notice dramatic weather conditions, the possibility of a good sunset, or I feel the urge to be at a location for sunrise, this spot is quickly and easily accessible, as in this early morning shot.

4-S_20_0658 Here is another photo I made at daybreak. A short while photographing and I can be home for my morning coffee.

In the first two photos of this blog from Vermilion Lakes with Mount Rundle in the background, as a long distance visitor I hope to get lucky (as in the second image) or have a serendipitous moment.  Having a location close to home to which I am able to get to at a moment's notice, I can choose optimal conditions for making photographs. And I can go to it as often as I like.

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7-S_16_0245 (1)Sunset clouds and reflections, wetland, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada

Aside from wider landscape views, I will look for details within the scene, as in the following photo.

8-S_18_0028Ice and reflections of sunset in wetland stream, Sudbury, Ontario Here are a few more images illustrating a variety of conditions.

9-15000146Sunset on wetland, Chief Lake Road, Sudbury, Ontario 10-S_14_0511 11-S_08_0461

12-S_20_0634 13-S_20_0027Sunset over wetland, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada

This variety of images I cannot get of locations to which I must travel some distance.

I will always look behind me across the road in the opposite direction. There are more and different photo opportunities.

14-S_20_0237 15-S_13_0235 16-S_20_0392 Having an accessible location close to home will most often result in some of your best photographs.